Salmon Goose Eggs and Sturgeon Salvation

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Spring Chinook Salmon fishing has been really slow this year on the lower Willamette. It can get be easy to get frustrated and bored so on this, my 4th trip of the year to the lower river, I decided to switch it up a bit and try for some sturgeon on the way back to the ramp.
Tackle featured in this video:
Owner No Escape Barbless Hooks 5/0: amzn.to/3Mt4j50
Dacron 80 to 130 lb leader: amzn.to/45ZgnSo
Shimano Trevala 7' L amzn.to/2UY80IB
Tuff Line 50 lb or greater braid: amzn.to/3MwaghI
Shimano Tekota 500 LC Reel: amzn.to/461SnOL
Atlas Mike's Sturgeon Scent: amzn.to/37X2rhm
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[@ezbake11791]

Love the name of this video! It sounds poetic

[@rjduresky]

I love this video for several reasons: 1. So many fishing videos just show the success (and BUY this lure). Tyler fishes 5 HOURS, one bite, no fish. This happens to me, this happens to you, and, apparently, it happens to Spilt Milt with 36K subs. 2. John Duresky rule #1: Fish for what is biting. Yep. Do that. 3. You didn't hide this location at all, I could drive there tomorrow and catch (and release sturgeon), I know right where and right how. 4. Don't be a dreamer, be a doer. I got mostly skunked at Potholes this last weekend, this upcoming weekend: back into the BREACH!

[@Betterdayswest]

Just got my set up taking the 132 PDL out on the Willamette this next week. May try for a little tomorrow! I've been hearing the same though from lots. No luck for most

[@deitrickorullian505]

Why would people stand you up? You're welcome on my boat any time you're in the couve 🤙

[@ShenpaiWasTaken]

I'm surprised that people aren't going to fishing with subscribers/patrons see sessions. If I wasn't on the opposite side of the state I'd be there. Sucks about the collabs that would have been cool.

[@walkingonwaterfishing]

Let’s do a collaboration Tyler I will show up and be early! Walking on Water

[@fathersaid]

I have been lucky and picked up 5 fish so far on the willamette, all on the toyota hole side where you are fishing. Keep up the great videos!

[@curtisfinley7393]

If you ever get back up to the cariboo I know many including myself will definitely met up. Just, let us know. Love your channel. And it's the main reason I went with the 120pdl.

[@jackofallfishing]

There is a meetup planned. He posted about it on Patreon.

[@joshuawood7136]

Sorry to hear about your experiences with other creators or viewers. I appreciate all your information and knowledge sharing. Helped immensely when we went to Brewster last year. You make it all look easier than it is, especially in a yak. Keep up the good work.

[@Fullwrapsonly]

Having worked for ODFW on the Willamete during a springer season, I checked very few fish in my opinion for the effort being put into it. Not to mention how close quarters the fishing can be at times.

[@IdahoOutdoorDad]

Hey man, if you back out in the Boise area I won’t stand ya up or be late! You either 5 minutes early or you’re 10 minutes late!

[@MrAcuta73]

Hey...odd off-topic question. Pedal power of mirage-type drives Vs prop-type drives in heavy current/wind? More on-topic, it really seems like Springers are later these days. At least in the Willamette, but I think through the Columbia as well. Used to be lower river started in February for the die-hards, and the run was DONE by late May with a few fish picked up in June by shad fisherman. Seems to start a lot later and run into July now.

[@spiltmilt]

Maybe but that would mean peak run now and catch rates aren’t improving

[@fastandfun20043]

Hey Tyler, don't let the inconsiderate people ruin it! 2 hours late to a meet-up without notice is just plain rude, I would have left them on shore! Whenever I have taken people out they are out the door (or at the launch) at the agreed-upon time and they have insisted on bringing lunch for me. Hope your Cariboo trip is still happening!

[@Badkharma21]

lol that was cool

[@loganfishbeard]

The drug is the tug! I wish we had more big fish opportunities in eastern WA. Maybe one day we'll get those June Hogs back to their original spawning grounds🤞🙏

[@TacomaSteelhead]

All day long amigo. “Where’s my invite, when are we fishing etc” If something ever does come together, unprepared. Late. Disinterested in 2 hours. 😂 fishing alone today

[@adamm4104]

That trevala rod is a workhorse. I can see how it can be a great kayak rod.

[@jimmychesney7162]

Nice Sturgeon!! That looks like a blast in a kayak! Not much luck catching kings on the Umpqua this year either. The last time I was successful catching them was on the Lower Columbia plunking quick fish wrapped in tuna belly but it’s been a few years.

[@daltonstetz6809]

I noticed that you’re normally out in calmish water. Do you have personal weather minimums that you keep or look for? Thank you!

[@spiltmilt]

Sustained winds under 10mph (unless its a small body of water) and gusts less than 15 mph

[@daltonstetz6809]

@@spiltmilt thank you so much!!!

[@BennettBuilt-yu2gw]

Well... isn't that a great idea for an upper body workout when the bite is off!

[@MyExRebirth]

Such a beautiful fish! BTW, in your old videos you said that your salmon trolling rod is a Shimano Trevala 7' Light power, right? Is it the old generation Trevala, or the new Trevala B rods? I went to buy one but the Trevala B light model looked very under powered for 10-20oz dropper weight so I bought a 7' ML and another 6'6 Heavy model to use it for both trolling (although looks a liitle too stiff) and bottom fishing, but I guess you have the older generation, am I right?

[@spiltmilt]

These rods are several years old so I would assume older generation but I haven't handled the newer ones.

[@MrAcuta73]

I keep wondering about Trevala B as well. I have loved my Trevala M/H (50lb) for bottom fishing for YEARS, wanted to buy another but the new version is an unknown quantity and almost twice the price at $190 Vs about $100 if you found them on sale. Really want to pick up another for the kayak I have on order, but don't want to spend that much on a rod I may or may not like.

[@wreck96]

I notice you regularly pedaling and not working the rudder- makes me assume Your boat tracks straight. I have same kayak and it definitely doesn’t. Have to have left hand on the tiller the whole time to not just go in circles, even in calm waters. Any idea what adjustment to make to address that??

[@spiltmilt]

Upgrade to this navarrekayakfishing.com/shop/old-town-rudder-bolt/ otherwise the sloppy rudder causes you to turn

[@Justin-zs1ql]

The metal rudder upgrade by Navarre helps tremendously as well.

[@wreck96]

I feel like the real answer here is Navarre should have their own line of kayaks… or Old Town should do better

[@wreck96]

@@spiltmilt did the upgrade. BIG improvement on the water today. Thanks!

[@mannymayer9250]

Unfortunately the willamette salmon fishery has been decimated from over fishing, damming and logging. I stopped fishing this fishery 20+ years ago. Too bad it used to be great. Enjoyed your sturgeon catch.

[@Mytro8533]

Pretty much the story in all pnw salmon n steelhead fisheries.

[@Stittsy1963]

It was fun watching you reel in that Sturgeon. I don't think I'm in shape, right now, to tangle with one of those things. Thank you for the time you put into making these videos for us and it's too bad about your experience with people not showing up has been consistent. I sort of know the feeling with a few of the guys I've gone out fishing with recently. It's not fun burning daylight waiting on others.

[@FinAddictsNW1]

You have to go down river and troll around Freds

[@spiltmilt]

I’ve spent about 20 hours at the head of the channel. Ain’t shit happening there other than about 100x more boats

[@geryang9641]

Try a gold Cleo without the flasher....

[@NorthwestOpenSeason]

Bummer that the springer fishing is poor. Were you just hovering when you caught that sturgeon? Or back pedaling to hold your position in current? I don’t think you were anchored.

[@spiltmilt]

Not anchored just holding in place with the pdl drive

[@Rando-h9d]

Tyler, just wondering if you’re going to Montana for Kokanee this year?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes with my family

[@Rando-h9d]

@@spiltmilt Hope you can get into them like they were last year,Good luck!

[@HungryH1951]

Interesting fish the sturgeon. Actually some have called it an animal, not a fish. When you see a really big one, you tend to think it is an animal. It could be debatable. But if you don't want a sturgeon it might be best not to go fishing for one as they will wear you out and pull your boat around. And they usually get hooked really good so you have no choice but to fight them to the end or else throw your rod into the water and say you win. I almost did that once with a big carp I hooked in the tail. But I wanted my Rapala so I fought him for 45 minutes to get it back. Too bad about Willamette Kings. I hate being skunked as well. Maybe below Bonneville dam and up near Drano lake (crowds though) and time spent there might be more fruitful.

[@brian1204]

Lol… fish ARE animals.

[@spiltmilt]

Fish are in the Kingdom of Animalia by definition every fish on Earth is an animal.

[@ccarter0069]

The dynamics in the Willy have changed dramatically in the last two years. The fish are there, they are just biting slightly different.

[@spiltmilt]

Either way catch rates of 1 fish for every 50 rods is pretty craptastic

[@ccarter0069]

@spiltmilt No argument there! Next time is the charm. I hope to see you out there!

[@BabyBitchBlue]

We arent even allowed to,fish for slamon on the Fraser River....second largest river in the world here in British Columbia ... lol they give net quotas to the Natives and Commercial fisheries.....our fishing licenses pay for hatcheries.....its just so unfair i cant salmon fish with my 2 boys like i did with my father.....our sturgeon is allmcatch and release as well. Mad 😠

[@jackofallfishing]

You can't fish for mixed stocks on the lower Fraser, it sucks but we have plenty of terminal fishery opportunities for Coho and Chinook, and the Thompson you start to get opportunities for Chinook. There are no commercial fisheries left on the Fraser and any Indigenous are either FSC or small indigenous commercial chum or pink fisheries, which most recreational folks look down on.

[@BabyBitchBlue]

@@jackofallfishing when do we get these magical terminal options? The Vedder and the Harrison are just tributaries in the fall......why can't we ethicallynfloat roe or spin and glo with a 2 foot maximum leader to eliminate snaggers and flossers....they have mismanaged and mishandled our once great salmon runs.....look what they do in Washington our fish management is beyond an embarrassment.....do you work for the DFO because no real fisherman I speak to paints such a bullshirt rosy picture of our fishing opportunities.?.I've been fishing the Fraser for 43 years since I was 11